Make it yourself this new year

Old books are repurposed as hanging sculptures at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts. Photo by Linda Koutsky

Creativity is good for the brain. Studies show creative people are happier, less anxious, more open-minded, and better at solving problems. It’s also been proven that people aren’t born with creative genes—they’re developed.

So if you wish you had more, get working on it. Anyone can learn to draw. Just pick up the classic “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.” If you do the whole book, you’ll be able to draw. But if you like to be more social with your learning, sign up for a class. Here’s a list of 12—one per month for the coming year. Have fun, learn something new, and be inspired in 2016—Happy New Year!

— CHICAGO AVENUE FIRE ARTS CENTER: An art center dedicated to works created by heat, spark, or flame. Classes work with metal, jewelry, glass, and electronics. (3749 Chicago Ave., cafac.org)

— MINNEAPOLIS PHOTO CENTER: Located in a funky building near the scrapyards north of downtown, this center packs in the classes. From beginning digital to full darkroom processing to image editing software, you can learn it all here from real working professionals. (2400 N. 2nd St., mplsphotocenter.com)

— THE MINNESOTA SCHOOL OF BOTANICAL ART: Learn techniques for creating drawings and paintings of flower and plants with scientific accuracy and astounding beauty all while studying in a historic setting. (The Longfellow House, 4800 Minnehaha Park Drive, minnesotaschoolofbotanicalart.com)

— NORTHERN CLAY CENTER: This renowned ceramic arts organization has been nurturing potters with exhibits, classes, grants and residencies. Whether throwing on a wheel or building by hand, the numerous classes offer different techniques, objects, firings, and glazings. (2424 Franklin Ave. E., northernclaycenter.org)

— SILVERWOOD PARK: Nature-inspired art classes are held year-round at this Three Rivers Park crisscrossed with trails dotted with sculptures that wind through prairie grasses, oak forests, and around a lake. (2500 County Road E., St. Anthony, threeriversparks.org)

— TANDY LEATHER: After taking a few simple classes to learn the basics of leathercraft, this large store carries supplies and hardware to make your own belts, purses, even jackets. Upcoming classes include a stamped belt, stamped and dyed keychain, and decorated box. (1950 W. County Road C, #100, Roseville, tandyleather.com 651-495-9400)

— THE TEXTILE CENTER OF MINNESOTA: From spinning wool to dyeing, weaving, knitting, quilting, embroidery, and anything you can possibly make out of thread or fabric, classes here produce tactile, colorful things. (3000 University Ave. SE, textilecentermn.org)